QBL Round 14 of Regular Season

- May 19, 2023

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Waverly Austin

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Round 14 most important game was a victory of Al Sadd over one of their biggest challengers Qatar Club 98-91 on Monday night. Al Sadd looked well-organized offensively handing out 39 assists. American-German forward Waverly Austin (211-1991, college: Oregon, agency: Diamond Sports) orchestrated the victory with a triple-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists. International Faisal Abuissa (188-1999) contributed with 19 points and 7 steals for the winners. American guard Brian Halums (196-1997, college: UAFS) replied with a triple-double by scoring 24 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists and 6 steals for Qatar Club. Defending champion maintains second position with 12-4 record behind leader Al Rayyan. Qatar Club at the other side keeps the third place with five games lost. They share the position with Al Shamal.
Fifth-ranked Al Ahli (7-9) was very close to win a game against first ranked Al Rayyan (13-3) in Doha. Al Rayyan managed to secure only three-point victory 77-74. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Al Ahli. Senegalese power forward Mouhammad Faye (207-1985, college: SMU) scored 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and TJ Starks chipped in 19 points and 5 steals during the contest. American-Nigerian forward Stephen Ugochukwu (201-1996, college: McNeese St.) responded with a triple-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Al Rayyan have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 13-3 record. Al Ahli at the other side keeps the fifth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Al Arabi.
A very close game took place in Doha (derby !!!) between Al Arabi and Al Shamal. Sixth ranked Al Arabi (7-9) got a very close home victory over 4th ranked Al Shamal (11-5). Al Arabi managed to escape with a 2-point win 81-79 on Monday evening. Kelechi Ajukwa notched 21 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals to lead the effort. Even a triple-double of 24 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists by Moustafa Elmekawi did not help to save the game for Al Shamal. Al Arabi moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Ahli. Loser Al Shamal dropped to the third position with five games lost. They share it with Qatar Club.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 14: Al Wakrah was smashed by Al Gharafa on the road 86-53. Al Arabi won against Al Khor on its own court 76-64. Al Sadd unfortunately lost to Al Shamal in Doha 76-94.
The most impressive performance of 14th round was 23 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 13 steals by Uchenna Iroegbu of Al Shamal.

Al Arabi - Al Shamal 81-79

A very close game took place in Doha (derby !!!) between Al Arabi and Al Shamal. Sixth ranked Al Arabi (7-9) got a very close home victory over 4th ranked Al Shamal (11-5). Al Arabi managed to escape with a 2-point win 81-79 on Monday evening. Strangely Al Shamal outrebounded Al Arabi 47-24 including a 23-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 59.1 percentage. Al Arabi looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American-Nigerian guard Kelechi Ajukwa (201-1995, college: Charlotte) notched 21 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals to lead the effort and forward Ousmane Dieng (194-2002) supported him with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Al Arabi players scored in double figures. Even a triple-double of 24 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists by Egyptian power forward Moustafa Elmekawi (204-1994) did not help to save the game for Al Shamal. Palestinian-Canadian forward Shane Osayande (200-1993, college: Saskatchewan) added 22 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists for the guests. Al Arabi moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Ahli. Loser Al Shamal dropped to the third position with five games lost. They share it with Qatar Club.
Top scorers:
Al Arabi: K.Ajukwa 21+7reb+7ast, A.Khaled 19+4reb+4ast, D.Ousmane 18+5reb+5ast, A.Omar 17+4reb+4ast, H.Ghassan 6+2reb+2ast, C.Casas 0+1reb+1ast
Al Shamal: M.Elmekawi 24+20reb+20ast, S.Diallo 23+3reb+3ast, S.Osayande 22+12reb+12ast, A.Fadi 3+5reb+5ast, F.Sadikovic 3+3reb+3ast, I.Moutasim 2+1reb+1ast

Qatar Club - Al Sadd 91-98

Round 14 most important game was a victory of Al Sadd over one of their biggest challengers Qatar Club 98-91 on Monday night. Al Sadd looked well-organized offensively handing out 39 assists. American-German forward Waverly Austin (211-1991, college: Oregon, agency: Diamond Sports) orchestrated the victory with a triple-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists. International Faisal Abuissa (188-1999) contributed with 19 points and 7 steals for the winners. Four Al Sadd players scored in double figures. American guard Brian Halums (196-1997, college: UAFS) replied with a triple-double by scoring 24 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists and 6 steals and Serbian Dejan Janjic (198-1995) added 26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals in the effort for Qatar Club. Defending champion maintains second position with 12-4 record behind leader Al Rayyan. Qatar Club at the other side keeps the third place with five games lost. They share the position with Al Shamal.
Top scorers:
Al Sadd: W.Austin 24+15reb+15ast, A.Faisal 19+3reb+3ast, B.Dieng 17+3reb+3ast, M.Elsadi 13+5reb+5ast, V.Blue 10+4reb+4ast, C.Chapman 7+7reb+7ast
Qatar Club: H.Woods II 29+1reb+1ast, D.Janjic 26+5reb+5ast, B.Halums 24+12reb+12ast, A.Badara Ndoye 5+6reb+6ast, F.Mark 3+1reb+1ast, A.Abdalla Ali 3

Al Rayyan - Al Ahli 77-74

Fifth-ranked Al Ahli (7-9) was very close to win a game against first ranked Al Rayyan (13-3) in Doha. Al Rayyan managed to secure only three-point victory 77-74. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Al Ahli. Al Rayyan made 16-of-20 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. Senegalese power forward Mouhammad Faye (207-1985, college: SMU) scored 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American guard TJ Starks (188-1998, college: CSUN) chipped in 19 points and 5 steals during the contest. American-Nigerian forward Stephen Ugochukwu (201-1996, college: McNeese St.) responded with a triple-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and international forward Ndoye Seydou (205-1999) scored 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Rayyan have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 13-3 record. Al Ahli at the other side keeps the fifth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Al Arabi.
Top scorers:
Al Rayyan: T.Starks 19+2reb+2ast, M.Faye 16+7reb+7ast, M.Curry 14+1reb+1ast, M.Salem 14+2reb+2ast, M.Haracic 12+1reb+1ast, S.Ibrahima 2+9reb+9ast
Al Ahli: J.Hudson 25+1reb+1ast, N.Seydou 16+7reb+7ast, S.Ugochukwu 15+10reb+10ast, K.Abdi 12+7reb+7ast, B.Christos 3+1reb+1ast, N.Mohamed 3+1reb+1ast

Al Gharafa - Al Wakrah 86-53

The game between closely ranked teams ended with seventh ranked Al Gharafa's (6-10) home victory over 8th ranked Al Wakrah (4-12) in Doha 86-53 on Wednesday. Al Gharafa dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Al Wakrah's 34. They outrebounded Al Wakrah 46-34 including a 36-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Gharafa looked well-organized offensively handing out 46 assists. American power forward CJ Aiken (206-1990, college: St.Joseph's, agency: BIG) notched 8 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists to lead the effort and Senegalese forward Ousseynou Mbow (195-1997) supported him with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Even a triple-double of 14 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists by the former international center Ndour Mame Souleye (206-1987) did not help to save the game for Al Wakrah. Forward Modou Ndoye (193) added 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for the guests. Al Gharafa maintains seventh position with 6-10 record. Al Wakrah lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 12 games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Gharafa: K.Brown 23+4reb+4ast, M.Ousseynou 18+7reb+7ast, I.Marlen 15+6reb+6ast, M.Yousuf Mohmmed 9+8reb+8ast, E.Amr 8+3reb+3ast, C.Aiken 8+15reb+15ast
Al Wakrah: N.Mame Souleye 14+13reb+13ast, N.Modou 14+11reb+11ast, M.Al-Darwish 9, E.Mohamed 5, B.Spearman 4+1reb+1ast, A.Matalkeh 4+7reb+7ast

Al Arabi - Al Khor 76-64

Rather expected game when 9th ranked Al Khor (1-15) lost to sixth ranked Al Arabi (7-9) in Doha 64-76 on Thursday. Al Arabi looked well-organized offensively handing out 34 assists. American-Nigerian guard Kelechi Ajukwa (201-1995, college: Charlotte) notched 28 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals to lead the effort and forward Ousmane Dieng (194-2002) supported him with 10 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists and 4 steals. Four Al Arabi players scored in double figures. Even a triple-double of 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists by American power forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Interperformances) did not help to save the game for Al Khor. Forward Djibrirou Dioum (199-1999) added 21 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists for the guests. Al Arabi moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Ahli. Loser Al Khor stay at the bottom position with 15 games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Arabi: K.Ajukwa 28+9reb+9ast, A.Khaled 18+6reb+6ast, M.Lashin 13+3reb+3ast, D.Ousmane 10+12reb+12ast, A.Omar 5+3reb+3ast, H.Ghassan 2+1reb+1ast
Al Khor: D.Djibrirou 21+9reb+9ast, T.Criswell 20+11reb+11ast, O.Salem 12+9reb+9ast, A.Jackson 5+3reb+3ast, A.Bobo Magassa 4+6reb+6ast, K.Mohamed 2

Al Shamal - Al Sadd 94-76

There was a small surprise when fourth ranked Al Shamal (11-5) won against second-ranked Al Sadd (12-4) in Doha 94-76 on Thursday. Al Shamal looked well-organized offensively handing out 42 assists. Nigerian point guard Uchenna Iroegbu (183-1996, college: Stony Brook) notched a double-double by scoring 23 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 13 steals to lead the effort and American guard Sindou Diallo (194-2000, college: Montana Tech) supported him with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Iroegbu is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Even 16 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists by American-German forward Waverly Austin (211-1991, college: Oregon, agency: Diamond Sports) did not help to save the game for Al Sadd. American power forward Clinton Chapman (208-1989, college: Texas, agency: Diamond Sports) added 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Sadd's coach Vassilis Bratsiakos rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Al Shamal moved-up to third place, which they share with Qatar Club. Defending champion Al Sadd keeps the second position with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Shamal: S.Diallo 24+6reb+6ast, U.Iroegbu 23+7reb+7ast, S.Osayande 18+8reb+8ast, M.Elmekawi 10+8reb+8ast, A.Fadi 9+10reb+10ast, F.Sadikovic 8
Al Sadd: W.Austin 16+9reb+9ast, C.Chapman 13+10reb+10ast, B.Dieng 12+3reb+3ast, M.Elsadi 10+8reb+8ast, A.Faisal 8, O.Saad 7+3reb+3ast

Tags : WAVERLY AUSTIN, AL SADD SPORTS CLUB DOHA, QATARI BASKETBALL